Advice on Conservation Boards’ annual reports 2021-2022

To: Hon Willow-Jean Prime, Minster of Conservation 
Date: 26 July 2023

Under section 6O of the Conservation Act 1987 (Act), each Conservation Board (Board) is required to provide their annual report to the New Zealand Conservation Authority (Authority) as soon as practicable after 30 June, reporting on its operations for the past financial year. The Authority has now received all the Conservation Boards’ annual reports for the 2021-22 financial year, and now provides them to you, for your information.

The Authority’s servicing staff have undertaken an analysis of these annual reports, and have identified several common observations, including:

• In one form or another Boards have been reflecting on their purpose and functions as statutory bodies, and some have begun assessing ways in which they can improve their operations, and their communications and engagement with the communities in their regions.
• For the majority of Boards progressing their Conservation Management Strategies (CMSs) is a top priority, regardless of some procedural delays within the management planning environment, they are committed to seeing their work progressed as much as possible to produce a comprehensive CMS suitable for their unique regions.
• Being an Honourable Treaty Partner and strengthening iwi relations continues to be standing work priority for Boards. A number Boards have made significant progress in this area by inter-weaving tikanga and te ao Māori into their CMSs to ensure that conservation management within their regions is iwi and mana whenua
• Across the country Boards have had strong attendance by all members at meetings, workshops, and fieldtrips. For the Authority, this is a welcome sign that Board members remain committed to their work.

The Authority note concern at the delay in a number Boards furnishing their reports in a timely manner; whilst the Act requires Boards to furnish their reports as soon as practicable after 30 June each year, the majority of reports were received between December 2022 and July 2023. The Authority is conscious about the potential for further delays in Boards furnishing future annual reports given the current delays and lack of timely delivery.

Authority analysis of Conservation Board Annual Reports 2021-2022

Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Board

Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Board has been working diligently in crafting the Te Hiku CMS which gives effects to sections of the Te Hiku o Te Ika Treaty Settlement legislation. This is set to be unique document, co-authorised by Te Hiku iwi, Board members, community members, and Te Papa Atawhai, with the help of an independent writer to help weave together the korero and aspirations for conservation management in Te Hiku.

In the past financial year the Board held two formal meetings, five workshops, and two fieldtrips. All with strong attendance by majority of Board members. The Board only lodged one submission regarding Stewardship Land Reclassification, however they have liaised extensively with Department staff in progressing their CMS.

Northland Conservation Board

The Northland Conservation Board has been committed to implementing strong community conservation practices within their region through the development of Arohatia Te Taiao. This is a community led pilot programme aimed at identifying key priorities and aspirations Northlanders have for the development of a strategy on how they want to care for their Taiao. The findings from the programme are also being used to develop a new structure for the Northland CMS that reflects their community aspirations.

Tha Board had three formal meetings and four workshops during the past financial year, with strong attendance by all members. The Board also lodged four submissions during the year and provided the Department with advice on the RMS Niagara Shipwreck and support for the Bay of Islands Marine Mammal Sanctuary.

Auckland Conservation Board

The Auckland Conservation Board have placed their focus strongly on the protection of precious native species and ecosystems across their rohe, and on the improvement of biodiversity which continues to be seriously impacted by pests, weeds, and climate change. The Board is determined to maintain its strong advocacy for these matters to ensure they are addressed in an appropriate manner.

The Board held four formal meetings and seven workshops during the year, with sounds attendance from all members. The Board lodged a total of seven submission and advised the Department on the application from the Rangitoto Island Historic Reserve Trust to lease a building on the Island for a museum and on an application from Intercity Group (NZ) Ltd for a renewal of a marine mammal watching permit.

Waikato Conservation Board

The Waikato Conservation Board have had a productive year in getting out to many areas in its jurisdiction to see the great conservation working take place and to gain better understanding of the work being done. The Board has also sought to improve its cultural awareness and knowledge on giving effect to section 4 in the conservation work it carries out.

In total the Board held four formal meeting, two workshops, and one fieldtrip. All of which had great attendance by all members of the Board. Members also worked towards maintaining high visibility and strong ties with communities and conservation groups in their region.

Bay of Plenty Conservation Board

The Bay of Plenty Conservation Board has done well to adjust to the introduction of the Department’s Eastern North Island region (ENI) and has already formed strong ties with their new Director Operations, Jade King-Hazel. The Board has also seen much success with the

Jobs for Nature projects in their region and have worked closely with iwi, hāpu, and other organisations with the communities.

The Board have also acknowledged the fast-evolving conservation landscape and want to explore ways in which they as a Board can contribute in this evolving space to achieve greater conservation outcomes. The Board held six meetings and one fieldtrip in the past financial year, with good attendance from members. The Board has maintained strong oversight of various operations projects within their region and have stayed active in liaising with Department staff and external conservation groups.

East Coast Hawke’s Bay Conservation Board

The East Coast Hawke’s Bay Conservation Board has focused strongly on fulfilling its role in connecting with communities and facilitating discussions that support conservation efforts and issues across the East Coast Hawke’s Bay region. The Board has worked well with Department staff at place, and remains committed to taking an inclusive, adaptable, and flexible approach to the work they do and challenges that may come up.

In the past year the Board has held five formal meetings with excellent attendance from all members and one fieldtrip to Cape Sanctuary in April 2022. Members have also done a great job in maintaining strong links with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve, Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay, and Gisborne District Council.

Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board

The Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board has been driven to achieve as much progress as possible when it comes to achieving conservation outcomes within the region. In addressing concerns over the delays and formation of their CMS, the Board has made way for the four local Iwi to share their views on how to protect their taonga and identify common values and objectives that will be supported by the wider communities. This has given the Board a way forward in creating a contemporary and fit-for-purpose CMS.

The Board held six formal meetings and one fieldtrip with excellent attendance by all members. Throughout the year the Board has had strong community and advocacy involvement, with a total of seven engagements with community groups regarding various matters.

Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board

The Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board has been successful in fulfilling one of its key duties, as an independent body that empowers local communities and iwi to contribute to the management of conservation areas. This was achieved, in part, by winning the Supreme Court case against Trans-Tasman Resources Limited for a sand mining application of the Taranaki coast.

The Board held a total of six formal meetings and joint workshops with all members being in fully attendance. Members did not have any fieldtrips this financial year. The Board continues to work towards progressing its CMS and has strengthened their relationship with the neighbouring Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board through joint hui and workshops.

Wellington Conservation Board

The Wellington Conservation Board enjoyed many productive meetings and two significant fieldtrips in the last financial year, as well as working closely with Department staff on reporting against their implemented CMS.

The Board held six formal meetings with great attendance by members, and special attendance by Department staff at place and Game Animal Council staff who presented on the issue of Wild Animal Control. Their two fieldtrips were out to Lake Wairarapa and the Waikanae Estuary Sanctuary Reserve.

Chatham Islands Conservation Board

The Chatham Island Conservation Board has carried out extensive engagement over the last financial year with various researchers and external organisations regarding environmental and conservation work on the Islands. Members have also remained consistent in being a strong community voice for the betterment of conservation on the Islands.

The Boards held five formal meeting in the past year with strong attendance from members. They also had three fieldtrips out to the Te One dunes, Pitt Island, and the Te Ara Manu Project in Waitangi. The Board maintains strong community visibility through posting regular updates on the Chatham Islands website.

Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board

The Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board has been a leader amongst conservation boards in being proactive in incorporating te ao Māori into its work and functioning, sticking to its commitment of upholding the Tiriti o Waitangi as its carries out its statutory duties.

The Board lodged a total of four submissions in the past year regarding the Marlborough District Council’s East Coast Vehicle Bylaws (this included an appearance at the hearing), Variations to the Marlborough Environmental Plan, legislative changes proposals to the Stewardship Land Re-classification, and the CMAP proposals. Member also held seven formal meetings and three fieldtrips with strong attendance from all members.

West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board

The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board has utilised the ability to have more fieldtrips and in-person meetings following the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions in the past financial year. The Board have been working through significant topics, including the Oparara Development Project, West Coast Stewardship Land Reclassification, and their own Board CMS.

In total the Board has held six formal meetings, one planning meeting, and one fieldtrip out to Franz Josef, with good attendance from all members. Their annual report also shows that the Board has a strong working relationship with local Department staff.

Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board

The Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board has performed well over the last reporting year achieving significant progress across their region in a number of areas in conservation. These include working on concerns with grazing on PCL, permissions and concessions, irrigation and water pressures on remnant dryland ecosystems, and the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Management Plan Review.

The Board has had excellent attendance from all its members to its six formal meetings, three fieldtrips, and four workshops over the past year. Additionally, the Board celebrated local conservation successes through its annual Conservation Awards Te Waka o Aoraki.

Otago Conservation Board

The Otago Conservation Board achieved a major milestone in the past year by gaining approval from the Authority for the Otago CMS partial review for Biking in June 2022. This was achieved after extensive public consultation through hearings and 1749 submissions, as well as considerable time and effort put in by Board members. This was a demonstration of the good working relationship the Board has with the Otago community.

In the past financial year members of the Board held six formal meetings and one fieldtrip with good attendance from all members. The Board continues to focus on climate change adaptation and finding forms of regenerative and sustainable tourism.

Southland Conservation Board

The Southland Conservation Board has been involved in a number of conservation projects across the Southland region but has raised concerns regarding a lack resources available to the Board to effectively carry out some of its statutory functions. This is with particular regard to the upcoming reviews of the Fiordland and Rakiura National Park Management Plans, and the Rakiura CMS.

The Board held six formal meetings and one fieldtrip to Te Rau Aroha Marae and Motupōhue Bluff Hill, which included a training day for members on work the Department is undertaking and connecting the Awarua mana whenua. Additionally, the Board maintains a good relationship with 39 external groups, including district and regional councils, and various conservation groups and organisations.